How to Turn on the iPhone 13 iMessage Feature

You can send blue bubble messages to other iOS users using the iPhone’s iMessage capability.

This includes users of iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, and MacBooks.

It is possible, however, that messages that should be sent as iMessages are being transmitted as text messages, which could be due to your device’s iMessage option being turned off.

On an iPhone, you can enable iMessage by going to Settings > Messages > and then tapping the iMessage button on the right.

Enabling iMessage on an iPhone

  1. Choose Settings.
  2. Choose Messages.
  3. Enable iMessage.

Our article continues below with more information, including screenshots, on how to enable iMessage on iPhone 13.

Related: This group messaging guide will show you how to enable that option if you would like to take part in text message conversations with multiple people.

You can send two types of messages through your iPhone’s Messages app.

For one type of communication, known as a short messaging service (SMS) message, a green bubble will emerge.

With the other type of message, known as an iMessage, a blue bubble will emerge.

Text messages are often provided to people who possess other devices, such as Android smartphones, but iMessages are typically delivered to people who own Apple devices.

But, if you are sending texts to someone you know has an iPhone and the messages look green, it is possible that your iPhone’s iMessage feature is turned off.

Fortunately, you may change this setting right away by modifying a setting in the Messages menu.

iMessage Activation on an iPhone Video

How to Activate the iMessage Service on an iPhone

The procedures in this post were performed on an iPhone 13 running iOS 16. These methods are also compatible with the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the vast majority of other iPhone models and iOS versions.

Step 1: Find the Settings app icon on your Home screen and tap it to open the menu.

choose Settings

Step 2: Scroll down and choose Messages from the drop-down box.

select Messages

Step 3: To enable iMessage, tap the button beside it.

The iPhone iMessage option is enabled when there is green shading surrounding the button, as shown in the figure below.

how to turn on the iphone 13 iMessage feature

You can ensure that this feature is enabled anytime your iPhone sends an iMessage as a text message now that you know how to enable iMessage on iPhone 13.

More Information on iMessage

If you wish to disable iMessage at any time, you can do it in the same manner.

To turn off iMessage on your iPhone, go to Settings, Messages, and finally, the button next to iMessage.

When you enable the iMessage setting in the Messages menu, a Send & Receive button may appear beneath it.

The ability to send and receive messages by email rather than by phone number is a useful feature of the iMessage service.

When you open the menu, you’ll discover the following sections:

Start new conversations from Checkmarks will display to the left of the various phone numbers or email addresses to indicate whether or not that organization can be used.

Another option in the Messages menu worth noticing is “Send as SMS.”

Your iPhone may occasionally be unable to send an iMessage. If you select this option, the iPhone will attempt to deliver iMessages as SMS rather than iMessages. This is useful if you want to ensure that the message reaches the intended recipient regardless of what happens.

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